Tired of your mindless treadmill routine and all that running leading nowhere? Consider mixing up your fitness plan, with more and more gyms offering unique classes for workouts that are effective — and fun.

Trampoline Workout: Embrace Your Inner Child

Boosting your heart rate was easy when you were 6 years old with time to kill on the swing set, but who says exercise can’t still be just as enjoyable? Several workout classes are incorporating trampolines as fitness equipment. But it’s not just fun; it’s hard work too.

“This is not the class to try and look sexy,” says Parvati Shallow, co-founder of ESP Wellness Center in Santa Monica, California and “On The Rebound” trampoline class instructor. “No one looks cool and you have to be ok with that.”

Some classes, like those at ESP Wellness, have participants bouncing on the trampolines for 50 minutes or more while they integrate cardio movements. “It’s like a dance class on a trampoline. We do crazy wedding dance moves. Sometimes I add in hula hoops,” says Shallow. “But it’s not easy. Six minutes is equal to running a mile. I have body builders who take my class and leave saying, Oh, my gosh, that was so hard.”

Trampolines take the pressure off joints and knees, which is why they’re increasingly popular among runners. Bari Studio in New York City offers a BariBOUNCE class that adds trampoline time into a cardio routine that encourages body circulation. “Bouncing actually increases your lymph flow and moves and recycles the lymph and blood supply of your entire body. Lymphatic fluid is completely dependent on physical exercise to move. That means your body will detox by flushing toxins out of your body,” says Alexandra Perez, co-owner of Bari Studio.

Trampolines are even making their way into yoga classes. Shen Tao Studio in New York City offers hour-long trampoline yoga classes. “One of the advantages is that when we make a shape or position, the pulsing into the springs has a rebounding quality. It’s knocking on the door of muscle restrictions,” says Bill Hedberg, the artistic director and founder of Shen Tao Studio.